Thursday, July 12, 2007

Help save the West End Centre, Aldershot

Just a quick request for all of you fine people, because I know my readers are the sort of charming music obsessives that really care about this stuff. The West End Centre in Aldershot, England is in danger of being closed, and as its the only half decent venue (and its actually a really great one) in its general area a lot of people feel it would be a real shame. It's part of a scheme to cut back on government spending on the arts (so what's new), and i'm sure there are a number of other things that could be cut back on before a wonderful place like this should be allowed to close. I've seen some pretty great bands there over the last 5 years or so, plus some great live comedy too. Anyway there's more info on the situation on the Aldershot News and Mail site, but my main request for you lot would be to go and sign this petition, which might go some way as to convincing the powers that be not to close the place. When it comes to saving live music, every little helps folks. Cheers!

After discussions with quite a few friends, it has been established that we are keen to actively lobby to prevent the closure of the West End Centre. We would like to link up with others who are also interested - individuals, groups. We are thinking of contacting Hampshire County Councillors, the local MP, bands, comedians who have performed etc. Kind of feel the more folk involved the better....so if you are already campaigning we would like to join up with you.

I would join a campaign to save the Westy from closure. Cllr Neal said in the newspaper article: “All departments have been asked to make savings this year simply because of the way the county council is funded. We get £96 per head from the government compared to a national average of £156 and the social care budget is increasing all the time because of the ageing population." Surrey County Council moan about getting less funding too. Where is the money going?

In my view the councillors should be lobbying the Government for extra funding. Other services must be suffering aswell. Also, it is not just Hampshire people using the Westy so deserves more Government funding. The council should 'open the books' to the public - let's see how taxpayer's money is being spent. Also there should be no 'secret plans' when it comes to public services.